Tourelles Castle (Château des Tourelles)
About Tourelles Castle (Château des Tourelles)
The Château des Tourelles is a remarkably preserved 13th-century fortress built in 1196 by King Philippe II Auguste to defend the strategic medieval bridge crossing the Seine River. This square castle with four distinctive circular corner turrets served as a bridgehead protecting one of the few river crossings between Paris and Rouen during the conflict with Richard the Lionheart. The castle remained virtually unchanged for 800 years, though it was damaged during World War II when Allied bombing destroyed the west turret, which was later reconstructed in 1984-1997. Classified as a Monument Historique since 1945, the château now offers free exterior access 24 hours a day, though the interior is closed to visitors. The castle is best visited together with the adjacent Vieux Moulin (Old Mill), the last surviving watermill from the medieval bridge, creating one of Normandy's most photographed scenes.
Interesting Facts
The castle was built while Richard the Lionheart was being held captive in Austria following his return from the Third Crusade. Philippe Auguste took advantage of his rival's imprisonment to seize control of strategic Norman territories, making the Château des Tourelles part of a broader military campaign rather than just a defensive structure.
Throughout its 800-year history, the castle has served remarkably diverse purposes: a royal fortress, a flour mill (after 1765), a Revolutionary-era prison, military barracks (1841-1849), and even a tannery (from 1854 when industrialist Ogerau converted it). Few medieval castles have undergone such varied transformations while retaining their original structure.
The adjacent medieval bridge once supported five operational flour mills powered by water wheels positioned between its piers. The mills could be raised or lowered depending on the Seine's water level. When the bridge was dismantled in 1858-1861, only one mill - the famous Vieux Moulin - was spared because it sat on a pier rather than the bridge deck itself.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
4 rue Ogereau, 27200 Vernon, France
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